Des Houghton: Palaszczuk’s last-minute move that may embroil new Premier

Accusations of wrongdoing referred to the CCC by Annastacia Palaszczuk days before she quit as premier may embroil both Steven Miles and Mark Bailey, writes Des Houghton.

Annastacia Palaszczuk referred accusations of wrongdoing at Queensland Rail to the Crime and Corruption Commission days before she quit as premier.

By her actions, Premier Steven Miles and dumped transport minister Mark Bailey may become embroiled in any investigation.

A lengthy dossier sent to Palaszczuk was put together by war hero Marcus Saltmarsh with the help of Queensland Rail whistleblowers.

Separately, the Brisbane law firm McCullough Robertson has been contracted by Queensland Rail to investigate a long-running dispute Saltmarsh had with QR over a railway crossing traffic light that delayed the construction of units he hoped to build at Alderley on Brisbane’s northside to accommodate 11 disabled people and 22 others.

A lawyer from McCullough Robertson wrote to him: “We have identified 10 allegations which arise on the face of your email which prima facie warrant further consideration.”

Saltmarsh says the 10 allegations are the same ones he sent to Palaszczuk who sent them to the CCC. Some of them have already been reported by The Courier-Mail.

They include bullying, the victimisation of disabled people, political cronyism, political interference in a flood safety response, a serious breach of safety protocols, sexual harassment, and the bypassing of station upgrades in LNP electorates in favour of those in Labor electorates, and other claims of serious misconduct that cannot be reported here.

Marcus Saltmarsh. Picture: Des Houghton

Saltmarsh, 49, a career soldier who served in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, said he repeatedly sought an explanation from Bailey about delays to his project. But he got none.

He says he unsuccessfully tried several times to engage Miles in his previous role as Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. Saltmarsh said he was baffled because his proposed development was already approved by the Brisbane City Council and State Assessment and Referral Agency. And it was compliant with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) requirements.

Exasperated, he wrote to Palaszczuk saying his complaints were referred back to QR to some of the very individuals he was complaining about. Queensland remains the only state in Australia with a statutory rail authority separate from its transport department.

Saltmarsh bundled up his correspondence and made a Public Interest Disclosure. It apparently went nowhere.

However, Palaszczuk’s chief of staff Jim Murphy wrote to him saying although the allegations did not seem to meet criteria needed under the PID Act, they were serious enough to warrant a referral to CCC.

“I want to thank Annastacia Palaszczuk sincerely for referring this matter to the CCC while she was still Premier,” Saltmarsh said.

“I was surprised – and delighted.”

Former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk referred the allegations to the CCC. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

I’m afraid I don’t share Saltmarsh’s optimism. The referral may just see the controversy being kicked into the long paddock until after the election.

Saltmarsh did say his case serves as a warning to others who may be considering investing in worthy projects that were “in theory” supported by the Queensland government.

“It is extremely risky to do business in Queensland even if you have a project that will improve social outcomes,” he said.

“It was easier for Twiggy Forrest to get approval for a hydrogen plant at Gladstone than for QR to manage the installation of one traffic light at Alderley.”

The controversy took an odd turn when Queensland Rail asked him for more than $150,00 for a traffic light study – only to discover in a leaked email that the work had been completed a month earlier.

He was told by an “informant” that they believe the project was deliberately delayed by QR to get him to “go away”.

“Queensland Rail is not acting in Queensland’s best interests in my opinion,” he said.

Since then other former and current employers at QR have come forward with stories of alleged misconduct.

Saltmarsh doesn’t see the point in assisting the McCullough Robertson investigation because he will not be given a copy of the firm’s final report.

And he said Queensland Rail as a stand-alone statutory body operating separately from the Department of Transport and Main Roads had no obligation to release the report either. Nor will it be obliged to reveal any sanctions or remedial action it takes.

Saltmarsh says the railway crossing on South Pine Road near his site was on a list of the top five most dangerous crossings in the metropolitan area in need of an upgrade. The money allocated for secret legal reviews would be better spent safety upgrades, he said.

Agreed. Premier Steven Miles declined to comment.

New Premier Steven Miles may be embroiled in the new scandal. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A spokesman for Queensland Rail said upgrade works did not proceed because the developer failed or refused to pay for the necessary planning works.

“Ultimately, the upgrade works have not proceeded because, despite Queensland Rail’s requests, the property developer has failed or refused to pay for the necessary planning works to be undertaken.

“It is Queensland Rail’s policy to not commit public funds to works that are to be undertaken on behalf of private developers.

“Queensland Rail has taken this matter seriously and has responded to all the property developer’s queries and letters.

“Mr Saltmarsh has refused to co-operate with Queensland Rail, despite our best attempts to work with him,” he said.